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Billy Bean to throw out 1st pitch at Mets Pride Night

NEW YORK (AP) — Billy Bean will throw out the first pitch for Mets Pride Night.

The former player is now Major League Baseball’s vice president for social responsibility and inclusion. He’ll take part Saturday in the first Mets Pride Night in a game against the San Diego Padres.

Bean came out as gay after he left the Padres in 1995. In the past two years, he’s talked to all 30 MLB ownership groups, various teams and players about struggling with his sexuality during his career and gay and lesbian inclusion in the workplace.

Lou DePaoli, the Mets’ executive vice president and chief revenue officer, calls New York a “diverse and inclusive city” and says “we are particularly proud to welcome the LGBT community.”

A portion of the ticket sales will go to the LGBT Network, which promotes anti-bullying programs in the New York area.